The Feast

[Niniel]

Niniel nodded at what her friend said. The new riders had potential to be great, it would only take time to see if they could live up to that potential.

When Arya mentioned Eragon, Niniel watched her face carefully. It was well known by her some of the things that had transpired between the pair, and she noted with satisfaction that she had to turn her face to hide what Niniel assumed was the start of a smile.

"A friend," Arya said, and Niniel turned to notice Solembum sitting and watching them. The words that he had said to her earlier echoed inside her head hauntingly.

"Yes, a friend," she replied and nodded to the werecat respectfully. Niniel removed her gaze from the werecat and looked around at the riders that were there. Pike as usual seemed to be flirting shamelessly with the nearest woman to him, who at the moment was the half-dwarf woman.

[Ancalimë]

Solembum had closed his eyes, concentrating on the several conversations he could hear in the stadium. He suddenly felt eyes upon him, and he opened one eyed lazily.
Arya was watching him. Niniel nodded to him, her mind clearly elsewhere. Perhaps the prophecy had been too much of a strain on her.
He got up and stretched, keeping his eyes on Arya, who did not look away.
He padded over to her, halting at her feet.
Strange, how she had corresponded with Maud in Ellesmera and not mentioned him. It was apparent that Arya did not know him.
He decided to speak to her, and wondered with amusement what had caused this rashness.
Hello. He said, touching her mind gently. The barriers she constructed so rigidly meant nothing to him, he was immune to both attacks and defenses of the mind.
He had now spoken to two new beings in the time span of two days. If he didn't watch out, he might well adopt some of their unseemly characteristics.

[Metri]

Jex gripped the armor in his hands taking in every detail he could see. His fingers slowly moved over the diamond. The dwarves were truly great smiths and the armor was a masterpiece. He stood the admiring the work before realizing he was still standing in front of everyone. Not even looking up for his eyes were glued to the armor Jex said.

"Thank you I am honored to have this." After a few minutes he looked up at the other rider’s presents. From Pike's armor to Lira's his eyes went they were both also amazing.

Draith was flying high in the sky when he spotted a dot of green far ahead of him. He wondered if it was Forest or some unique bird. Forest is that you I see in the distance? He asked.

[Arya]

Hello.

Arya almost jumped, and barely kept herself from doing so. Her eyes had followed Solembum, for she knew what he was, but not him personally. With the brush of their minds against one another, Arya experienced the all-to-familiar feeling of being naked in front of this person. She was used to it however, and went about her normal project of building barriers around the darkest parts of her mind.

Hello, werecat. What is it you are called?" Arya asked simply, feeling it best to start slow with such a powerful creature. The werecat was able to block off the rest of his mind as if it were a fortress, and Arya knew that despite her amazing strength in magic, she would never break through.

Nor did she feel the need to.

Let us move out of the way, so that we can speak without heading others... Arya suggested, brushing her thoughts up against the werecat's. However intrusive the feeling was, she had almost grown to like it, though only with those she could trust.

And werecat's were special. Creatures to be intrigued by. Creatures to listen to.

[dannylam4]

((Use periods... I have no idea what some of the stuff you're saying is. Read the rest of the RP, we're in a stadium, not in my room. People aren't wearing ceremonial armor, we're wearing ceremonial clothes. And most importantly, inform me before you plan on using my character and changing my past so that I knew you.))

Edit: This was for Gravile though he or a mod/admin seems to have deleted his post

[Ancalimë]

Solembum blinked amusedly.

You may call me Solembum, although I am known by many names in this land.

He looked at her, feeling the flutter of indignance she felt at having him enter her mind. It was amusing how much she was like humans in that respect.

That would be wise, he replied to her second comment.

He trotted off toward a distant corner of the stadium, Arya following him.
She was an amusing creature, having felt much toil and sorrow in her lifetime. He hoped she could harness these restrained feelings into something useful.

[Arya]

Arya traversed the stadium behind Solebum, motioning for Niniel to follow. She had only just reunited with her friend, and didn't want to leave her to her own doings quite yet. Plus, she got the feeling that Niniel already knew this particular werecat.

What is it you wanted to speak with me about, Solembum, or did you only wish to introduce yourself. If that was the case, then I am still honoured, Arya projected her thoughts so that Niniel could hear them as clearly as Solembum. She did not wish to exlude her friend now, after so much time of doing so.

This Solembum felt a little mischievious, but he also struck Arya as being a truly virtuous being, although her conceptions could be marred, since Solembum's mind was a fortress.

She simply thought those things because of the smirk that Solembum maintained. It was a strange expression, not arrogant, as a smirk usually demonstrated, but not entirely modest either. There was also something about Solembum's eyes, and the feel of his voice against her normally well-maintained barriers.

She stood in silence, something she was all too good at.

[dannylam4]

Pike sat up and set the silk in his lap as the package was tossed to him. "Mmmm, silk pillows," Pike said, rubbing his silk shirt. "Like sleeping on clouds, though clouds aren't as comfy as you would think... more wet then anything.

He opened the package and looked at the pieces of armor. Taking them in his hand, he felt the material and weighed it. "I'm use to wearing my current outfit in battle, so it'll be nice having armor that weighs the same. Too bad I don't know what half this stuff is..." He lifted the gorget and put it on top of his head. "How does it look?"

Lifting the breastplate, he took a closer look at the engravement and traced the dragon with his fingers. "Lovely... all of this is just lovely. Give my thanks to the dwarfs who made this, Vari, they're all splendid.

[Vardy]

Lira fingered the material of the shirt. "Its so soft. Thank you Vari"
Then Vari showed her the armor. It was duller. But Lira figured that was good, it wouldn't reflect the light as much in battle and she said so to Vari, thanking her again for her trouble.
"And give my thanks to the ones who made these. They are wonderful." she smiled
She laughed at Pike, he was trying on his armor and was rambling on about silk pillows. Lira was of the opinion that goose feather ones were best, but to each his own.
"Neither do I. What is all this for?" Lira asked Vari, figuring she would know. She looked closely at the armor, thinking about how much time and patience it would have required. She would never have the patience to do something like it.

[Tavimh]

"I'm glad you like them," Vari beamed, "and I'll be sure to give the dwarves your thanks." She laughed at Pike and took the gorget off of his head. "It goes like this," She informed him and showed him a small latch that let it swing open. Placing it around his neck she latched it closed, "See now your neck is protected."

Vari realized that they probably had no idea how any of this armor went on...they had never been warriors before. "Well let's have a lesson on armor then shall we?" Andvari asked the riders and picking up Pike's gambeson and unceremoniously pulling it over his head ruffling his hair. She straightened it on him ignoring his ruffledness. She picked up the greaves. "These here go on your legs," She said showing them how it covered the shin by buckling it on Pike's leg. "And these are called bracers." She said holding up a different piece that looked similar to the greaves. Vari grabbed Pike's arm and laced it up quickly, she had a good amount of practice at it. "I think you can figure out the breastplate alright, and these go on like gloves." Vari said showing them the gauntlets.

[dannylam4]

Pike felt the gorget around his neck moved his neck around slightly. "Thank you for the held," he said, moving his neck around and trying to crack it. "This reminds me when I injured my neck so I stuck bark around it so I wouldn't move as much."

"Well let's have a lesson on armor then shall we?" Vari asked. Pike strugged as the gambeson was pulled on him and was wondering what was going on. When he realized Vari meant for him to be a practice dummy, he stopped struggling and brushed his hair with his hand as she finished. "You work fast, don'tcha?" he asked as she began lacing the bracers. He stood up and stretched as best as he could with the armor on. "How do I look?"

[Metri]

Jex looked at Pike once the armor was on and quickly followed the steps.

"Like Pike with armor on." He said dropping gauntlet from moving to fast. Finishing up Jex looked up in the sky.

Draith where are you? Jex asked now with a slightly worried look on his face. Trying not to let it show he put on a fake smile. I'm looking for Forest why? Draith stopping to look back he could no longer see the feast grounds. Because its getting late and I think the feast is going to start soon. At that reply Draith began heading back at a great speed. Alright I'll be there in a while.

Jex turned back to the others the worry now lifted from his mind. His smile was now true and sincere.

"I do love it!" Jex said looking down at himself.

[Ancalimë]

I often find it necessary to introduce myself to those of importance, he said nonchalantly, while knowing what the force of those few words would mean to her.

I also come to pose a question to you. When Eragon and the young Riders depart for Ellesmera, will you be accompanying them?

He studied her face, all traces of the smirk gone.

I have an acquaintance I haven't spoken to in quite a while there that I need advice from.

[Arya]

Arya nodded, doing all she could to keep from visually reacting to the rather high praise from such an important being. Though it wasn't necessarily an outright compliment, the implecations of the statement rode heavy upon her shoulders.

When Eragon and the young Riders depart for Ellesmera, will you be accompanying them?

The question was a hard one for Arya. She missed her home, after only being able to visit for a few short months and having been gone for nearly 80 years. Though she had grown up apart from her home and she was different than many other elves, she still felt a yearning for Ellesmera that came from her very bones.

But Eragon was also a rather large factor. Granted, Eragon's age among his own people was close to that of Arya's relative age to her own peple, there was still the gigantic human lifespan between their years, yet he had made advances on Arya twice, both had made her uncomfortable, and both times she had told him to not let it happen again.

And it hurt her to do so. She saw the look of absolute anguish cross his face for seconds that seemed like hours, she felt his mind clamp iron walls around itself to shield the pain from showing.

Arya didn't know what to do. Eragon was sweet, he was attractive, and now almost full Elf. He was strong, stronger in most areas than she could ever be, and he'd have a lifespan as long as hers, but in other areas he was brash and immature.

She focused her mind, and shook her thoughts away. They were for another time, and perhaps a long discussion with Eragon. Their predicament was far from over, being as Rider's on both sides now flourished, and Galbatorix still remained, but they had time, now. Since the battle of the burning plains, the Empire's army needed regrouping, and another horrible boost in morale fueled by some evil torture of the emperor.

Yes... she thought to Solembum after minutes of thought.

I will be accompanying Eragon to Ellesmera.

She made her decision final, if only for herself. She would go, and she would avoid Eragon during travel, but once in Ellesmera, after giving Eragon a chance to reuinite with Oromis, she'd speak with him.

However, she was afraid it would be for naught.

[Ancalimë]

Solembum closed his eyes.
Interesting, he thought.
He opened them, pondering what he had heard, yet not letting Arya heed even a barest glimpse of what he foresaw.

If it pleases you, I would like to accompany you and the others there. I must consort with Maud.

He paused.

Angela will not be joining me, and I advise you not to worry her with these spare details. She would go into one of her moods.

He let his thoughts drift to Maud, over the countless years and forgotten correspondences.
She had been his mentor.
She had replaced what was his mother.
And now, he must go somewhere he had vowed never to traverse again, where memories cascaded upon his conscience like a waterfall, to see her.

The home of the elves was a mysterious place. Solembum left during his youth because he couldn't stop himself from conforming to their ways. He had chosen a life of solitude rather than a life of controversy.

He had never figured out how Maud had done it, coped with memories and ancient minds writhing in her brain.

Werecats observed all memories that happened to come across them, and Du Weldenvarden was certainly full to the brim with such.

He shook the shadows of the past away, stretching and curling his tail around his paws.

I would be most grateful, and forever in your debt.

[Arya]

Then Angela will stay with the Varden in Surda? Arya asked mentally, and she couldn't help but feel like Solembum had just intruded on her personal thoughts, though she didn't feel offended as she would have had it not been a werecat.

You honour me, Solembum. You will be welcomed company, I am sure. Arya said, already feeling like she had shared much with Solembum. More than she had shared with anyone else in a while, and none of it voluntarily. She felt tired, and wished the feast would hurry up and start.

None of this punctuated her facial expression. It was the mask she wore to let others know she was calm, yet powerful enough to put more than a few passers by in their rightful place. She was princess of the elves, and would be returning shortly.

Which reminds me... where is Eragon? I have no yet seen him tonight...

[dannylam4]

Yes, now if you'll excuse me... Forest said, shooting towards Draith. He stretched his body flat and took long, quick and powerful strokes with his wings as the distance between the two dragons quickly lessened. He circled the stadium once and then flew towards the center. Stopping a few feet from the ground, he dropped a large, yellow spire on the ground.

It's dense but suprisingly light, Forest said, answering Pike's questioning thoughts. Still took me two stops til I managed to get it here though.

"What's all this for?" Pike asked, removing some of his armor.

You'll see... Forest said as he took a deep breath. He opened his mouth slightly as a small jet of flame shot forward. Slowly opening his mouth, the fire grew larger and smoke began to rise from the spire. A blood-red liquid ran down the side and onto the ground as parts of it began to melt. He snapped his jaw shut as the spire began to glow a bright, blue color.

"BRIMSTONE?!" Pike shouted, immediately covering his mouth and nose with his silk clothing. "We'll all suffocate with the smoke that thing produces."

It's controlled, Forest said, his eyes flashing green slightly. He waved his hand over it quickly. No smoke, only light.

Pike slowly dropped the silk and breathed in deeply. Content, he relaxed slightly as he watched the blue flames. "Where'd you learn this from?"

Saphira mentioned heating rocks before, and I've seen you play with brimstone from time to time. I figured it was getting dark and we could use some more light.

"Just don't get drunk and lose control of that," Pike said, laughing slightly.

I'm sorry, since when did I start acting like you?

((In case you all were wondering, Brimstone, aka Sulfer in modern times, produces the toxic gas of sulfer dioxide. It produces a blue flame at night and turns blood red in color when melted ))

[Tavimh]

"I'm just well practiced." She told Pike with a smile. It really was too much fun to catch him off his guard but he seemed to take it in stride.

Catching Lira's eye she gestured to a long paper wrapped bundle. It was her bow, and a pretty thing at that, with dark shiny wood and inlaid horn polished to ivory white in patterns of leaves and blossoms along it's length. She didn't know how they did it, but they had assured her that they made it the right strength for Lira. Vari supposed the measurements helped them figure that out.

"Ready for something special?" She asked them all with a grin. She could hardly wait to show them what was in the last four wrappings. She gathered three of the long thin packages up and handed one to each of the riders. "Now, open them together," Andvari told them, "I hope they will be of good service to you all." To herself she hoped that they wouldn't have to use them, but being riders she knew it was a silly hope indeed.

The last one was for Eragon, when he lost Za'roc it seemed only fitting for the Varden to make him a new sword even if dwarven skill wasn't near that of the elves. At least it was something. Three new swords for the three new riders; Vari only hoped they liked them half as much as she did.

She remembered when the smiths had first showed her the swords, it was breathtaking. They were each wrapped in black velvet but beneath that was the matching sheaths each made with thick leather matching their dragon's color spider webbed with a maze of runes and designs in silver. The master smith was glowing with pride when he took the swords out to show off his craftsmanship. "For the riders." He told her and she nodded with understanding. The swords were truly beautiful. Mirror polished blades with finely sharpened edges glowed in the soft torch light but more eye catching were the miniature silver dragons. Each of the four dragons watched her with glowing eyes, Two sapphires of different hues, a deep emerald, and a gray moonstone. the three dragons lay with their heads on the flat of the blade their wings extended to their sides, the wings made the cross guard tapering to a blade on either side as the body melted into the hilt of the sword.

Vari put hr memory aside for the moment; she wanted to watch the riders receive their new weapons.

[Metri]

Shock overcame Jex as he seen another gift come his way. He was focused on the armor that he had forgotten they were getting weapons too. He took the package and said another thanks to Vari. His fingers ripped the paper off to reveal a beautiful sword and sheath.

Just then Draith landed a little away from Forest and his fire. What took you so long? Get over here you have to see this! Draith quickly made his way to Jex. What is it that’s so amazing?

“This.” Jex said holding the sheath and sword so that Draith could see them. The sheath was the same gray as Draith’s scale. The sword was magnificent, it had a little silver dragon it with some kind of gray gems for eyes.

“It is greater than the armor!” Jex said and he thought highly of the armor. Draith agreed and the two talked about it for some time.

[evilmoon]

The shadows ran silent as night along the streets of Aberon. Following the sound of music and many people. Jentari jumped to the rooftops of the surrounding houses in one leap and then ran along silently as her twin brother Edoc'sil followed close behind.

The two crouched behind the ridge of the roof which was right next to the stadium.

''I will wait for you here. I will link my mind with yours to help reinforce your defences and I can see what's going on '' Spoke Edoc'sil to his sister Jentari who was busy canging into her silken elves clothes.

Edoc'sil placed wards around his sister amd handed her a light ,short and slim sword and she placed it in a sheath on her waist under the silken clothing.

'' No problems, I will walk in , and walk right back out with information '' she replied through the mind link.

She closed her eyes and she used magic to change her features so she looked exactly liek an elf. The most cange was done to her dark violent purple eyes. Revealing her true race. They turned baby blue and they stood out greatly from under her wave of dark blue-black hair that rippled and became straighter and swirled into a bright silver colour.

'' If anything happens and your fighured out. Kill as many as you can in passing'' spoke Edoc'sil with a wink at his sister.

'' What makes you think you needed to tell me that ? '' she asked with a twisted smirk. ...

She jumped down silently into the alleyway and then walked towards the stadium entrance with acted awe in her baby blue eyes. Knowing her mission as her shade kin waited for her outside , waiting patiently.

His mind completley merdged with hers and he was looknig through her eyes and hearing everything she heard.
He saw the two dragons and riders but no sign of Saphira or Eragon.

He saw the gifts to the riders as his sister passed by them , the beautiful armour and swords.
He memorised the features of the dragons and riders so he could give the exact picture to Krointh and otehr workers of the empire....


The silver haired young woman walked into the stadium. Awe acted upon her eyes as the great space opened up before her. She then saw the main party guests. The dragons and riders. She took in their colours ,their forms , their faces . She needed to be able to reconise every one.

Baby blue eyes peered at the silver and green dragons and their riders. She glance about , no sign of the famed Eragon and Saphira. Nor any sight of Keri. She sighed , she must'nt have healed fully from their little 'visit ' .She grinned , must have done more damage than she thought. Jentari beleived that girl deserved everything she got from what she did to Korinth.

She snappped back to realitly when her brothers conciousness gave her a sharp nudge. She gazed upon the riders gifts , the armour and swords were beautifully made and carved with great acuracy.

She continued to look around , carrying herself as elf like as she could or she would blow her cover.

Her brothers vision had entirley merdged with hers now and she knew he was practically there beside her.....